Deutsche Bank, once Europe's largest lender, found itself in the financial crosshairs during the 2008 crisis. The bank aggressively pursued subprime mortgages through its investment arm, leading to massive losses when the housing market collapsed. With reckless lending practices and a complex derivative portfolio, Deutsche Bank became dangerously overleveraged. As credit markets seized up, counterparty risks spiraled, and the bank faced a liquidity crisis. Government bailouts and asset sales averted a catastrophic collapse, but Deutsche Bank's reputation was severely damaged. The bank's excessive risk-taking and lack of oversight ultimately contributed to the global financial meltdown, while its own struggles became a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked ambition and greed.
